Mrs. Capps (for herself, Mr. Farr, Mr. Lowenthal, and Mr. Huffman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To permanently prohibit oil and gas leasing off the coast of the State of California, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the California Ocean and Coastal Protection Act.

2.

Prohibition of oil and gas leasing in certain areas of the outer Continental Shelf

Section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(q)

Prohibition of oil and gas leasing in certain areas of the outer continental shelf

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or any other law and except as provided in paragraph (2), beginning on the date of enactment of this subsection, the conduct of oil and gas preleasing, leasing, and related activities is prohibited in areas of the outer Continental Shelf located off the coast of the State of California.

(2)

Effect

Nothing in this subsection affects any rights under leases issued under this Act before the date of enactment of this subsection.